Atlanta Police Enforces City Ordinance Prohibiting Vending

Atlanta Police Department Enforces City Ordinance Prohibiting Vending on Public Property
Atlanta to look at public property vending best practices in comparable-sized cities as it considers next steps

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Police Department took steps today to enforce City Ordinance Section 138-15, which prohibits the obstruction of city sidewalks through the sale or display of goods.

The Atlanta Police Department was on hand at locations throughout the city early this morning to inform anyone attempting to sell or display goods on the city sidewalks that to do so would be in violation of City Ordinance Section 138-15.

The locations included the Five Points area around the MARTA Station, Barbara Asher Square (Downtown on Marietta Street), Woodruff Park, Baker Street in Downtown, Lee Street near the West End mall and areas around Turner Field.

“Our officers are respectfully letting anyone attempting to sell or display goods on the city sidewalks know that vending on public property is no longer authorized in the City of Atlanta; and that to continue such activity would be in violation of the city’s ordinance,” said Police Chief George Turner. “We expect compliance with the city’s ordinance, but are prepared to make arrests, if necessary.”

The APD’s action today was necessitated by a decision in Fulton County Superior Court in December 2012 that voided the city’s ordinances through which the city had been able to permit vending on public property. The timing of the APD’s action is based on several factors, including scheduling of several major events in the city over the next few weeks and the need to address unregulated vending practices.

The city will be looking at best practices around public property vending in cities of comparable size to determine what, if any, such program or ordinance would be best suited for Atlanta.

For more information about the City of Atlanta, please visit http://www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26. Follow the City of Atlanta on Facebook and Twitter @City_of_Atlanta. Follow Mayor Reed on Facebook and Twitter @Kasim Reed